Holding a personal digital assistant

ABSTRACT

Among other things, a device that helps a user in holding a personal digital assistant (PDA) includes at least one sleeve sized to receive at least one of the user&#39;s fingers, and a mechanism to attach the sleeve to the PDA in an orientation to permit the user to hold the PDA by placing the finger in the sleeve while permitting the user to manipulate a function of the PDA with another finger of thumb.

This patent application is entitled to and claims the benefit of thepriority of U.S. provisional application 61/371,213, filed on Aug. 6,2010, the entire contents of which are incorporated here by reference.

BACKGROUND

This description relates to holding a personal digital assistant.

As PDAs become smaller and sleeker they become more difficult to hold.At the same time, more dexterity is required to not only hold the PDA,but to use it as well. Typing on a keyboard, dragging one or morefingers across the screen, tapping an icon, and countless otherfunctions require nimbleness to both firmly grip the device and executefunctions at the same time.

SUMMARY

In general, in an aspect, a device that helps a user in holding apersonal digital assistant (PDA) includes at least one sleeve sized toreceive at least one of the user's fingers, and a mechanism to attachthe sleeve to the PDA in an orientation to permit the user to hold thePDA by placing the finger in the sleeve while permitting the user tomanipulate a function of the PDA with another finger or thumb.

Implementations may include one or more of the following features. Thereare two or three sleeves. The two or three sleeves are oriented topermit the user to hold the PDA by placing a finger of one hand in oneof the sleeves and either a finger of the other hand or same hand inanother of the sleeves. The sleeve and the mechanism are configured sothat the sleeve can be moved to various positions relative to the PDAwhen the sleeve is attached to the PDA. The mechanism is configured toattach the sleeve to the back of the PDA. The mechanism is configured toattach the sleeve to a case in which the PDA is to be held. The sleevecomprises a tube open at both ends. The mechanism enables the sleeve tobe rotated about an axis to reposition the finger relative to the PDA.The sleeve is collapsible. The mechanism comprises at least one of asuction cup, hook-and-loop fastener, a ball and socket joint, e.g.,rigid pins (as would be used with PDA headphones) and a guide way to beattached to the PDA and a guided element that includes the sleeve. Themechanism is configured to cause the sleeve to lie along an edge of thePDA. The sleeve and the mechanism are incorporated into a housing of thePDA. Decorative elements are associated with the sleeve (e.g., adornedwith patterns, designs, lettering or other graphics). The decorativeelements can be attached to and removed from the sleeve repeatedly.There are a set of decorative elements in a kit associated with thesleeve.

Other aspects and features, and combinations of them, can be expressedas methods, apparatus, components, systems, means or steps forperforming functions, or business methods, or in other ways.

Among the advantages of these and other features and aspects may be oneor more of the following. Users need not grip the device by hand, butcan instead be passively attached to it, which allows for greatermobility, easier use, and a reduced risk of damage from dropping it.

Other attributes and advantages will become apparent from the followingdescription, and from the claims.

DESCRIPTION

FIGS. 1, 12A through 12E, and 13 through 26 show PDAs with fingersleeves.

In holding onto a PDA (such as a mobile phone, a mobile digitalassistant, a content player, or other handheld device), a user isgenerally required to grip the device by hand, whether it is in a caseor without a case. This typically requires the user to utilize his orher thumb or palm in addition to his or her forefingers to secure thedevice when holding onto it, which inhibits use of the user's thumb and(in some implementations) forefingers to operate features of the device,and making the device prone to slipping from one's hand and dropping.When holding the PDA in a vertical or inverted position (with thedisplay facing down), one's hand must even more securely grip the PDA,as one cannot rely on one's palm to support the device.

Utilizing finger sleeves, as discussed below, allows a user to hold aPDA securely, while retaining much greater use of the forefingers (insome implementations) and thumb to operate features of the device. Byplacing one or more of their fingers through sleeves on the rear or sideof a device, the user's thumbs, forefingers (in some implementations),and palm are freed for use. Additionally, the sleeves better secure thedevice to allow for increased utility of the user's hand, and to avoidaccidental dropping.

In general, a user utilizes the finger sleeves to secure their PDA byplacing their fingers through rear- or side-mounted/attached sleevesthat allow the user to hold their PDA using only these sleeves, andusing only one to three fingers within the sleeves. These sleeves can beincorporated into a protective PDA case, or be a stand-alone item thatis not part of a case and is attached to a PDA, or can be implemented asmovable pieces that are part of or incorporated into the rear or side ofthe device, providing that the pieces secure the sleeves adequately tothe device. A limitless number of forms of attachment between thesleeves and the PDA are possible, as long as the sleeves are ultimatelysecurely fastened to the PDA, either directly or indirectly.

Finger sleeves have two primary benefits: First, a user doesn't have togrip the device (that is does not have to use a palm, thumb, and fingersto grasp the device securely) Because the fingers are held in thesleeves without requiring the user to apply any force or wrap his handaround the device, or otherwise grasp it, greater hand and thumbmobility is permitted to perform other functions. Second, there is areduced risk that the device will be dropped due to a poor grip orinattention. Finger sleeves are especially useful when holding the PDAvertical, such as when taking a photograph, or alternatively when thePDA is inverted while the user is reclined or prone.

Among the attributes of such a system are the ability to place a singlefinger into the sleeve to be held by the sleeve, the ability to placetwo or more fingers through an expanded sleeve to be held by the sleeve,the ability to place fingers through the sleeve either individually ortogether with another finger(s), the ability to adjust the size of thesleeve(s) to accommodate varying finger sizes, the ability to move thesleeve(s) on the rear of the device to accommodate a user's hand sizeand location preference, and the ability to rotate the sleeve(s) in aclockwise or counter-clockwise manner for viewing in either portrait orlandscaping mode, using a rotating mechanism. This rotating mechanismcould either be securely set in one position, with the need toproactively adjust, or it could be free-moving, allowing the PDA torotate freely about the axis of the rotating mechanism.

The sleeve(s) can be made of a flexible material, of a rigid material,or of a combination of the two, can come in varying sizes, can fold intothe back or side of the PDA device, can be a standard attachment to thePDA, can uncoil and recoil within the PDA device, can be adjusted;either tightened or loosened, can have a suction cup to secure a PDA, ora magnet to secure a PDA, or Velcro or any other hook and loop system tosecure the PDA, or 3M's Dual Lock or similar product, or locking pins orother mechanism to secure the PDA. The sleeves can be adorned withfabric or other decorative material for the purpose of creating a uniqueor personalized PDA holder.

In FIG. 1, we see a rear view of a PDA device 100 with atwo-finger-sleeve apparatus 101 attached to the rear face of the PDA.This apparatus has two cylindrical channels, or sleeves (shownhorizontally in the figure, one above the other), that can accommodate auser's fingers, when placed through the sleeves. These sleeves can bemade of either flexible or rigid material, and can come in varying sizesto accommodate differing finger sizes. In implementations, the sleevesthemselves can be attached directly to the rear face of PDA or to alarger device or case 102 that is secured to the PDA. In some examples,when incorporated with a larger device or case 102, the finger sleeves101 would have the ability to be moved higher or lower, or left or righton the rear face of the PDA to accommodate the user's locationpreferences. In the example of FIG. 1, the larger device includes avertical strap and a horizontal strap and the two finger sleeves areattached at the place with the straps cross. Although not shown in FIG.1, the strap arrangement would need to provide for a clear view of adisplay and access to a keyboard, if any on the front side of the PDA.This could be done by arranging the front sides of the straps so thatthey gripped the PDA at the corners (not shown).

In FIG. 2, we see the side view of a PDA 100 with the side view of atwo-finger-sleeve apparatus 101. For the user to attach himself to theapparatus, he would simply place his fingers through the open sleeves101 until they are securely in place. The sleeves can come in manysizes, but it is expected that the length of the sleeve will be between½ and 2 inches, and the diameter of each finger sleeve (when fullyexpanded) will range between ½ and ¾ of an inch, to accommodate typicalfingers.

In FIG. 3, we see the result of how fingers 103 could be inserted into afinger-sleeve apparatus 101 to secure the user's hand to the PDA device100. In this instance, the apparatus has receptacles (e.g., sleeves) fortwo fingers, however, as many as four (or even five), or as few as onesleeve could also be utilized.

In FIG. 4, we see PDA device 100 with an enclosing case 104 wrappedaround it. Attached or mounted to case 104 is a rotating device 106 thatin this case allows a one-finger sleeve apparatus 105 to turn in aclockwise or counter-clockwise manner. The purpose of this rotatingfeature is that the user can turn their PDA 100 in either a landscape orportrait position (or any useful orientation in between those) withoutthe need to rotate their hand (or their finger relative to their hand)accordingly.

In FIG. 5, we see a one-finger sleeve 107 attached to a mount 108 thatis directly attached to the PDA 100. In this instance, the method ofattachment can either be by mechanical or adhesive means, in particular,an attachment that can be undone and redone repeatedly without damagingthe PDA, the sleeve or the mount. Sleeve 107 can be removed from mount108 so that PDA can be easily placed into a PDA holder or chargerwithout any obstruction from the sleeve.

As an alternative to removing a sleeve apparatus, if the sleeves 109 aremade of flexible material, they will have the ability to collapse, asseen in FIG. 6, thus allowing the PDA 100 to lie relatively flat againstthe back of the PDA, when placed on a hard surface.

An alternative method of attaching a finger sleeve(s) 112 to a PDA 100is through the use of suction cups. As shown in FIG. 7, a sleeve can bemounted to a suction cup 111, with the suction cup then attached, bysuction, to the rear of the PDA 100. The suction cup is a convenientmethod of attachment as it can be easily removed when not in use, orwhen the PDA is placed in a holder or charger.

As shown in FIG. 8, the finger sleeve 112 could rotate through a broadrange of orientations using a ball and socket attachment mechanism 113that could be attached and removed from the suction cup 111 or othermounting element. With this rotating attribute, the user could alter thedirection of the sleeve 112 with respect to the profile of the PDA 100.In this case, the sleeve 112 lies perpendicular to the PDA 100.

The method of attachment for the sleeve(s) can come in many forms. Inaddition to the suction cup mentioned above, the sleeve can also attacheither directly or to a carrying case via Velcro or other two-piece hookand loop system, an adhesive tape or strip, 3M's Dual Lock product orsimilar product, locking pins, snaps, grooves, magnets, or othermechanism. Any mechanism that holds the sleeve securely to the PDA, orto a case that holds it, can be used effectively. In FIG. 9, PDA 100 hasbeen affixed with a strip of Velcro 114, and the sleeves 115 have Velcroon their exterior as well to secure the sleeves 115 to the PDA 100.

In FIG. 10, a rigid (e.g., plastic) apparatus 116 is secured to (orformed as part of) the rear of a PDA 100. This apparatus has a channelat the far ends of the unit 118 which can receive another rigid (e.g.,plastic) apparatus 117 by sliding one onto the other. In this case,mounted to apparatus 117 is a shortened version of a finger sleeve 119which resembles a ring. This shortened sleeve 119 is made of a rigidmaterial, such as plastic, and can support a single finger. A largerversion of the same configuration can also be utilized with two or moresleeves, one for each finger.

Shown in FIG. 11 is a side-mounted finger sleeve 120, which is attachedto PDA 100 by a rear-mounted bracket 121. The side-mounted sleeve canaccommodate a user's forefinger to support the PDA. The side-mountedsleeve can also be incorporated into a PDA carrying case, providing thesame support, or could be formed as an integral part of the PDA housing.

In FIG. 12, displayed is an example where a finger sleeve 122 is madeusable by pulling a small, removable section from the back of the PDA100. The sleeve is made of a thin, lightweight, flexible material, andis attached within the PDA to spring-loaded pulleys that keep constantresistance on the sleeve to keep it snug on the user's finger. When theuser removes his finger, the tension within the springs pulls themovable section of the PDA back into its original position within thePDA.

The material used for the sleeves can vary from natural products such asleather, cotton, wool or other natural fibers, to synthetics andpolymers. Finger sleeves can also be made of woven materials, such asbelt-like webbing. In instances where the length of the sleeve is veryshort, i.e. less than ½ inch, the sleeve would more commonly be made ofa rigid material. For sleeves greater than say ½ inch, a flexible, morebreathable material would be more common.

Finger sleeve configurations can be in one-, two- and three-fingervarieties, with the sleeves either holding each finger individually, orholding two or three or four fingers together in one sleeve, or with onefinger in one sleeve and two fingers in the other, or othercombinations. In FIG. 12A, shown is a PDA 100, where two fingers can fitinto a larger sleeve 200, and one finger would fit in the smaller sleeve201. In the case of multiple finger sleeves, the sleeves can beconnected to one another, or they can be attached individually to thePDA or carrying case. When multiple sleeves are connected to oneanother, the sleeves can be directly adjacent and parallel to oneanother, or there can be space between the sleeves to accommodate afinger located between the sleeves, but not housed within a sleeve. FIG.12B shows a PDA 100, where there is an area 202 to place a fingerbetween two separate sleeves 203. In this configuration, the user enjoysthe benefit of having a wider, more secure base in which to secure theirPDA, without the need to enclose more than two fingers within thesleeves. FIG. 12C shows a PDA 100, where a three-sleeve apparatus 210would attach to a PDA using rigid pins 211 that would fit into femaleopenings 212 in the PDA device. In lieu of pins, snaps, grooves,channels, and other forms of attachments could also be used to securethe sleeve apparatus to the PDA directly. FIG. 12D shows a two-sleeveapparatus 220 that is adorned with stars.

The size, e.g., the diameter of finger sleeves can be either fixed oradjustable. If fixed, finger sleeves can be sold in multiple sizes toaccommodate fingers of varying sizes. If adjustable, the mechanism foradjustment can come from various mechanisms. Alternatives for sizeadjustment can come from flexible fabric that stretches. Adjustment cancome from Velcro or a similar product, where the sleeve is looped backupon itself after passing through a loop that is secured to either thePDA, a PDA case or a part of the finger sleeve apparatus. Thesearrangements are commonly found with wrist watches and sports footwear.Adjustment can also come by pulling on one end of an unsecured sleeveuntil the sleeve fits securely around the finger(s); the unsecured endis then affixed to the PDA, case or sleeve apparatus to ensure a securefit around the user's fingers.

While a number of examples have been given which describe an apparatusbeing attached directly to a PDA to support a finger sleeve, in allinstances, the same apparatus can be affixed, or be a part of a PDAcarrying case, or the PDA housing itself. The sleeve apparatus can beattached to the surface of the PDA or case, or be incorporated into thedesign of the PDA or case. Sleeves could be attached to PDA cases usingsnaps, buttons, grooves, sewing, gluing, double-stick adhesives, or anyof a multitude of forms of securely fastening one item to another.

As opposed to having finger sleeves attached to a PDA case or mounteddirectly to a PDA, a finger-sleeve-like apparatus can be incorporatedinto the rear face of a PDA. FIG. 13 shows a PDA 100 with a movableportion 110 of its rear face that will allow a user to place one or morefingers through the back of the PDA 100 to secure it. In this instance,the movable sections 110 are moved towards one another to create anarchway in which fingers may be placed. This archway would mechanicallylock into place, allowing the user to secure the PDA by placing hisfingers through the archway.

While in FIG. 14 we show a rigid two-piece archway 111, the archwaycould also be made of a greater number of pieces, or of a flexiblematerial to allow the archway to better contour to the user's finger(s).The archway can also be made larger or smaller by moving the movableportions of the PDA's 100 rear face closer or further from one another.By doing so, the user can custom fit the size of the archway to theirparticular needs. There are numerous alternative ways where fingersleeves could protrude temporarily from a PDA devise, and where thefinger sleeves are incorporated into the design of the PDA.

By allowing users to passively hold their PDA through a fingersleeve-like apparatus, they can feel comfortable that their PDA issecured to their hand, giving them increased hand mobility and reducingthe risk that their PDA will be dropped and damaged.

In typical implementations, the finger sleeves that we have discussedhere will have sizes, shapes, configurations, materials, and mountingsthat can (in various combinations and among other things) (1) allowfingers to be inserted and removed easily and quickly, (b) will holdfingers securely after they are inserted, (c) are comfortable to theuser, (d) are connected to (or can be connected to) the PDA in a mannerand orientation that will support the PDA on the user's fingers in astable enough position and in a useful enough orientation to permit theuser to use thumbs, free fingers, and other parts of the hand to operatefunctions of the PDA easily and freely, without requiring the user tootherwise grip the PDA, and (e) in some cases can permit reorientationof the fingers relative to the PDA to improve the effectiveness,comfort, and ease of operation of functions of the PDA.

Thus, each finger sleeve can be configured to hold one, two, three, orfour fingers, and can be as long as the fingers or as short as a ring,Any number of finger sleeves can be provided. The finger sleeves can bearranged for the fingers of one hand or the fingers of both hands of theuser. In the latter case, the fingers of the left hand can be insertedfrom one direction and the fingers of the right hand from the oppositedirection. A given sleeve could be long enough or otherwise configuredto accept one or more fingers from one hand and one or more fingers fromthe other hand at the same time.

Finger sleeves can come in a plain, monochromatic style, or they can bedecorative in nature. The sleeves can be decorative themselves, withdesigns or images incorporated into the actual sleeve material.Additionally, sleeves can be decorated with trim pieces that aretemporarily or permanently affixed to the sleeve. Permanent decorativetrim can be sewn, glued or otherwise permanently affixed to the sleeveand are, or can be considered to be integral to the sleeve. Temporarydecorative trim can be attached using buttons, snaps, Velcro, Dual Lock,or similar products. These temporary decorative trim pieces can bepurchased with the sleeves, or they can be purchased separately. Whenpurchased separately, multiple decorative pieces can be purchased in asingle package to allow the owner to change the decorative look of thesleeve product.

These decorative trim pieces, whether temporary or permanent, can eitherdisplay a simple pattern or color, or they can be adorned with letters,pictures or images. The adornment can display the owner's name,initials, address, phone number, or other personalized information. Theadornment can also display other images that represent logos, such asfrom corporations, schools, sports teams, or other generic images. Theadornment can also display popular clothing brand designs such asVineyard Vines, Gucci, Burberry, Louie Vuitton, Tommy Hilfiger, LL Bean,Coach, Nike, and others. The adornment can also display national colors,cartoon characters, animal images, generic stripes, polka dots, andother decorative patterns. FIG. 12E shows a decorative trim piece offabric 230 that can be snapped onto finger sleeve 231 using snaps 232and snap receptacles 233. These decorative trim pieces could be attachedand removed from finger sleeve 231 for replacement by another decorativetrim piece. In addition to snaps, these trim pieces could also beattached using other means, such as pins (as watches to watch bands),buttons, and other forms of attaching fabrics or other decorative trimpieces.

For temporary decorative trim pieces, these pieces can be affixed to thesleeve through a number of different manners, such as snaps, buttons,slide-in channels, Velcro, Dual Lock, or other manner. These temporarydecorative pieces can be interchanged based upon the user's preferences.It will be possible for users to purchase one or more of thesedecorative pieces, either with their finger sleeve product, individualon their own, or in a single- or multi-pack either with or separate fromtheir finger sleeve purchase.

The decorated finger sleeve could also match the color, pattern ordesign of a carrying case, whether incorporated into that case or not.Or, the decorative finger sleeve could have a look unique from thecarrying case. Finger sleeves could also be color-coded or decorated tomatch the appearance of the actual PDA device. The finger sleeve trimpiece could also incorporate a clear plastic exterior where if open onone end, could house information place between the trim piece and thesleeve. In this case, personal information, similar to what would findon a business card, could be placed within this plastic-enclosed stripto allow others to identify the owner, should the device be lost ormisplaced.

The purpose of this decorative aspect of the finger sleeves is to allowusers to individualize and personalize their PDA devices or PDA cases.This personalization can be used to display an affinity group, an entityof interest, personal information or simply a stylish look. PDA userscould have multiple decorative trim pieces that are interchanged oftento match an outfit, or simply just to vary its appearance.

It is anticipated that finger sleeves could be licensed to corporationsor other entities, having their corporate/entity image(s) and design(s)adorning the sleeves. Possible licensees could include clothingmanufacturers such as those listed previously, sports teams, schools,product manufacturers, or other entity wanting to display their image.These entities could choose to sell finger sleeves themselves throughtheir own sales channels, or they could be sold by merchants that sellbranded products, PDAs and/or PDA accessories. PDA manufacturers and PDAcase manufacturers may also either to choose to sell finger sleevesthemselves, or via other merchants. Alternatively, finger sleeves couldbe given away by entities, e.g. corporations, schools, sports teams,etc. as promotional items.

Finger sleeves serve a practical purpose, but they can also serve apersonalize decorative purpose. PDA users like to be able to take ageneric looking product such as a PDA, and personalize it to theirtastes or wishes. Additionally, entities such as corporations, schools,sports teams, clothing manufacturers and other brand providers, couldutilize finger sleeves as a form of marketing for their entity by havingtheir brand or logo or design affixed to the finger sleeve apparatus.Trim pieces that incorporate the user's personal information can also beused to show ownership or contact information analogous to the use ofluggage tags, and also provide a security instrument for the PDA owner,whether the owner is an individual or entity.

Examples of PDAs with sleeves are shown in FIGS. 15 through 26.

Other implementations are also within the scope of the following claims.

1. A device to help a user in holding a personal digital assistant(PDA), the device comprising at least one sleeve sized to receive atleast one of the user's fingers, and a mechanism to attach the sleeve tothe PDA in an orientation to permit the user to hold the PDA by placingthe finger in the sleeve while permitting the user to manipulate afunction of the PDA with another finger or thumb.
 2. The device of claim1 in which there are two sleeves.
 3. The device of claim 2 in which thetwo sleeves are oriented to permit the user to hold the PDA by placing afinger of one hand in one of the sleeves and a finger of the other handin the other of the sleeves.
 4. The device of claim 2 in which thesleeve and the mechanism are configured so that the sleeve can be movedto various positions relative to the PDA when the sleeve is attached tothe PDA.
 5. The device of claim 1 in which the mechanism is configuredto attach the sleeve to a back of the PDA.
 6. The device of claim 1 inwhich the mechanism is configured to attach the sleeve to a case inwhich the PDA is to be held.
 7. The device of claim 1 in which thesleeve comprises a tube open at both ends.
 8. The device of claim 1 inwhich the mechanism enables the sleeve to be rotated about an axis toreposition the finger relative to the PDA.
 9. The device of claim 1 inwhich the sleeve is collapsible.
 10. The device in claim 1 in which themechanism comprises at least one of a suction cup, hook-and-loopfastener, a ball and socket joint, a guide way to be attached to the PDAand a guided element that includes the sleeve.
 11. The device of claim 1in which the mechanism is configured to cause the sleeve to lie along anedge of the PDA.
 12. The device of claim 1 in which the sleeve and themechanism are incorporated into a housing of the PDA.
 13. The device ofclaim 1 also including the PDA.
 14. The device of claim 1 includingdecorative elements associated with the sleeve.
 15. The device of claim14 in which the decorative elements can be attached to and removed fromthe sleeve repeatedly.
 16. The device of claim 15 in which there are setof decorative elements in a kit associated with the sleeve.